Jimmy Ryan checks out the color for the 2006 race shirt with Glenn
Gaetano.
"In necessary things, unity: in disputed things, liberty: in
all things, charity."
Jimmy Ryan, a life-long Valley resident and current President of the
Shelton Economic
Development Corporation, has been named as the Honorary Race
Director for the 2006 Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race. The
award was announced by the Race Committee and is given to an individual
who has made a strong contribution to the quality of life in the
communities of Shelton and Derby. Legendary three sport Shelton coach
Joe Benanto was the first recipient of the award in 2005. Ryan will be
formally recognized at the race on Thanksgiving morning and he will be
firing the gun to start the race!
In making the announcement of the award; Glenn Gaetano, Chairman of
the Race Committee, said that the Committee was pleased to name Ryan who
shares the same enthusiasm and vision as the Race Committee for the
future of the downtowns in Shelton and Derby where the race is held.
"Jimmy not only contributes to the community through his leadership of
the SEDC, but also through his many volunteer activities. We are pleased
to recognize him for his leadership and dedication."
In his professional life Ryan spent nearly seven years as Executive
Director of the Ansonia Redevelopment Agency and has just completed his
twenty-second year with the SEDC which is a private not for profit local
development corporation which serves as the Development Agency for the
City of Shelton for their downtown revitalization efforts and which
provides technical assistance to the City of Shelton’s overall economic
development program.
Ryan’s efforts include a myriad of local, regional and state
affiliations, past and present. In particular, Ryan sites his former
role as President of the Connecticut Community Development Association,
Chairmanship of the Governor’s Central Housing Committee on two separate
occasions, and charter membership on the Connecticut Housing Authority
as key experiences which have helped shape his professional and personal
development. Recently, Ryan also spearheads a 18 town planning effort to
insure ongoing federal investments in our region. Ryan also serves as a
member of the Recreation Camp Board of Directors and is Chairman of the
Valley Advisory Committee for the Community Foundation for Greater New
Haven. He was also instrumental is starting the new Valley Community
Foundation and has served as its Chairman for two years.
Ryan served for many years as a Trustee at the Hewitt Organization,
is a practicing Valley Chamber of Commerce member, and is completing his
eighth year as a United Way Director. Over the years he has had
affiliations with the Ansonia Recreation Commission, has been a Jury
Commissioner, participated in creation of the State of Connecticut’s
first three year housing plan, and has belonged to numerous other local
and regional organizations.
Ryan was involved in the important fundraising campaign for the Boys
and Girls Club’s new building program and has twice chaired the Griffin
Hospital’s Annual Appeal. Ryan is an active member of the Assumption
Church in Ansonia and is very involved in working on a new long
range plan. He is also a former member of the Shelton/Derby Exchange
Club and is a former Rotarian.
Ryan graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1975
with a degree in liberal arts with concentrations in Political Science
and English. He is the proud father of two daughters, Megan (18) and
Katey (16). Jimmy resides in Ansonia with his wife, Maureen, a nurse at
the Griffin Hospital, and relishes his family time and rewarding work in
the field of community economic development, and volunteer affiliations.
A major project which he points to as work which has made a
difference is the Shelton Enterprise and Commerce Park which will create
new jobs, eliminate major environmental hazards and provide public
spaces along the Housatonic River, including a Farm and Public Market,
Shelton Riverwalk, and Veterans Memorial (The
starting and finishing point for the Race!). Ryan also played
a prominent role in the planning and development of the Shelton
Community Center.